Tuesday, October 30, 2012

I've recently been having a lot of fun over on pinterest and found a recipe for bean chimichangas on a friend's wall. However, upon actually reading the recipe, I found a few things not so healthy so I revamped with good success. Does it compare to the original? I don't know - I rarely use velveta or refried beans. Elli enjoyed them as much as she enjoyed the name... I think this recipe could have a bunch of variations depending on what's on hand.

Preheat oven to 300. Mash beans in a food processor or by hand. Heat tortillas lightly to help soften. Take 1/4 of the beans and place in a pile in the middle of your first tortilla, top with 1-2 tablespoons cheese and 1 tablespoon of salsa. Brush the area around the beans with egg white. Fold the top and bottom over the beans and then fold in the sides. Place seam side down on a plate. Repeat with the other 3.

Heat the oil in a frying pan and place chimichangas seam sides down. 2-4 minutes each side on medium heat should give them a nice golden brown. Then remove them and place in a baking pan in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Serve warm by themselves or with salsa, sour cream, or some guac.

Monday, October 1, 2012

I have often struggled with verses like this. Why are some chosen? What about those who are not? Is it too bad for them? Ooops sorry... you're not a "cool kid" in God's kingdom... stinks to be you... I've wrestled with this... not in a cavilier way, but in a deeply sorrowful way of feeling a loss for those not "chosen."

Tonight, as I was reading the parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew, I once again stumbled upon this concept of Biblical "choseness" for lack of a better description. Tonight I did something different and asked God to explain this to me. Here's what I got.

You are chosen. What makes the difference you ask? Why are some chosen? Isn't this unfair? NO! Those that are chosen are those that are willing to listen to and for God's voice. The chosen are ones who make the choice to follow God's desires rather than their own. All can be chosen if they set aside their own pursuits and seek God's heart. It's a heart condition.

Just as one decides their own physical condition, they can just as easily choose the spiritual condition of their lives through the pursuit of a relationship with God.

We choose if we want God that close in our lives or to keep him as some distant being. If we choose God there will be sacrifices and uncomfortable moments as well as great rewards. There is a deep unexplainable joy in knowing God personally.

So... what does this mean? How does one know God? It's quite simple really.

You pray and ask God to reveal himself in your life. No fancy formula. No "religious" act. You tell him your fears and hangups. You share your frustrations and insecurities and you ask for his help. God is alive and active and big enough to deal with all your stuff. And then... the great part is he takes some of the stuff and gives you the strength to work through the rest of it. As you seek him, you find more of him, and it's beautiful...